PD 150 advice needed please....newbie to the pd 150

[veedub76]

:oJust taken posession of a 51 plate 2002 pd150 tdi,138k on clock,full VAG history from new.Have no supporting paperwork so am unsure if it's suffered any of the common problems these engines have,camshaft failure,turbo,cooling fans etc etc.Have rang some of the dealers where the car was serviced and only one rang me back and said they'd serviced it,lube service,and a climatronic service,wheel bearing and cambelt and tensioners at 121k
Any of you have any idea as to how i can get hold of my cars service paperwork,and do the 150's all suffer from cam failure and turbo and egr probs??This is my second VW diesel my first a gt tdi 110 which was a nightmare!!

Any help and opinions would be cool :beerchug:

[Crasher]

The ARL 150 is extremely prone to cam/lifter and turbo problems, finding out if it has been done will be quite difficult due to data protection laws. The EGR isn’t a problem as such and isn’t confined to the 150PD. Cleaning out a blocked EGR valve every 50K or so is no big deal.

[veedub76]

What's the best oil to use crasher??

[veedub76]

Also is it possible to get to the actuator rod from the top of the engine or is it an under the car job??And what is the best way to drive one of these,like a granny with the odd bootfull of right foot or pretty much boosting it to keep the vanes in working order?Have put millers additive in and seems to have eliminated a slight lagging problem,but it seems a bit laggy when cold,eg;pulling of once engine as been first started..any ideas at all.The guy i got it from had a friend who works at a main Vw dealer and he last service he cleaned the turbo gate??could this be the egr valve???


Any help would be cool:D

[Crasher]

I only use Quantum Longlife 3 and change it every 6K miles, SO FAR this has prevented any repeat failures on 150’s but didn’t stop one failing the other day that I had serviced a month before. When it came in for the service it was missing and so it was too late to save it.

The vane actuator rod is almost invisible from above on the 150, you can see it clearly only from below.

I would start with a fault code scan.

[iworld]

The ARL 150 is extremely prone to cam/lifter and turbo problems, finding out if it has been done will be quite difficult due to data protection laws. The EGR isn’t a problem as such and isn’t confined to the 150PD. Cleaning out a blocked EGR valve every 50K or so is no big deal.


Hi Crasher

How do you clean out a EGR valve is there a simple way - cxan a novice do it?

[Crasher]

To remove it you have to use a short 6-mm hex key (out of a 10-mm drive set) and 10-mm spanner to disconnect the exhaust gas pipe and then remove the 5-mm hex key bolts holding the valve to the manifold. Removing the initial build-up of gunge is easy, I use a stiff plastic scrapper (so as not to scratch the aluminium bore) and a pipe cleaning brush in a very strong alkaline traffic film remover. Block off both the vacuum ports first. Personally I think it is such a disgusting job you may find it easier to buy a new valve. The next problem is the inlet manifold, the gunge will be right down inside and I use a spoon to scrape out as much as possible but trying to not let any large chunks fall through into the engine. It is better to remove the manifold but this is quite a big job. I soak the manifold overnight in TFR once I have scooped out as much as I can.

[skymaster]

Getting hold of the service history should be no problem if it's all been done by a VW main dealers. VW dealers all have access to a database called Dialogue which lists every service and also warranty work on a vehicle. If you get a decent service advisor at one of these places they will print out the history for you. It wont contain any data about previous owners. Just the car.

Another issue with these was the dual mass flywheels failing. Very nice car though!

[M53494]

Welcome to the '150 club'! I love mine, had it for four years and it still puts a smile on my face each time i drive it!

Take Crashers advice and change the oil/filter every 6000miles using Quantum Longlife 3 (Or other 507.00 spec oil) and you should minimise the chance of suffering the expensice problems.

ENJOY! :D

[skymaster]

Further to what Crasher has said. I spoke to a friend who is a VW master tech who said he started to see a number of PD deisel golfs coming in with cam issues. There was usually two factors involved... the higher milage cars and non VW dealer servicing.... which suggests the WRONG oil was used in them when they were serviced on a budget.

The correct oil and regular changes on these things is essential. Whats concerning is the number of these cars that have been on longlife servicing in their early years with 15k + between services.

[veedub76]

Hi
How many miles have your's covered?Looking at my service book VW have seen the car every 10k and longlife PD oil has been used.VW specialist who i'm letting service on sat 13th use quantum longlife also which is reassuring!It's on 138k at the mo and have had her just over a week and am well impressed.Just have a slight clonking coming from front,wishbones or droplinks i think,and a non working boot light and non working right hand back passenger courtesy light.

Love it to bits and hope it continues to please for many years!
Any advice on airfilters?just the panel type?
Anyof you guys in the essex area?:approve:

[skymaster]

clunking is most likely anti roll bar bushes. No huge problem at the end of the day.

I personally wouldn't bother with a modified air filter. An oily K& N one will leave oil deposits on the Air Mass Meter and stop it working properly. At £12 per genuine VW filter you are better off just hoovering out the air box and popping a new on in every 5k or so. That way you get a good air flow all of the time. The official interval for them is every 40k! However some airboxes are utterly disgusting by this milage.